Honda has unveiled an updated version of the HR-V, featuring subtle design enhancements both inside and out, along with a few new features and two fresh appearance packages.
While the changes may be subtle, they aim to give the HR-V a refreshed look. As of now, Honda Australia has not specified the release date for the refreshed model in the Australian market.
Unveiled in Japan, the revised HR-V, known as the Vezel domestically, sports a slightly more squared-off grille, giving it a wider appearance and updated tail light graphics.
New exterior color options include Slate Grey Pearl, Botanical Green Pearl, and Seabed Blue Pearl. Inside the cabin, a more pronounced tray beneath the climate controls is noticeable, along with a wireless charging pad located behind the transmission shifter.
For the hybrid variant, Honda has implemented updated energy management control to enhance responsiveness and reduce engine noise during urban driving.
The Honda Sensing suite, featuring active safety and driver-assist technologies, now includes traffic jam assist and sudden acceleration suppression function aimed at preventing accidents resulting from mistaken accelerator pedal inputs.
Furthermore, the HR-V now comes with Honda’s adaptive driving beam for the LED headlights, adjusting the light beam to prevent glare for oncoming drivers.
In Japan, Honda has introduced two new option packages: HuNT and PLaY. The HuNT package adds unique copper exterior accents and Fabtect upholstery, featuring patterned seats with green bolsters and blue accents.
On the other hand, the PLaY package offers a distinct grille and lower door accents, a two-tone exterior finish, and upholstery with subtle blue highlights. The current iteration of the HR-V debuted in 2021 and entered the Australian market in 2022.
In terms of sales, Honda moved 2182 units of the HR-V in Australia last year, a notable decrease compared to its predecessor, which typically surpassed 10,000 sales annually.
However, Honda’s SUV lineup in Australia now includes the ZR-V, introduced last year, which is known as the HR-V in North America. The ZR-V achieved sales of 2282 units in Australia last year, providing customers with another option below the CR-V in Honda’s SUV lineup.
